Picker check for looms



y 1950- c. P. BERGSTROM 2,513,909

PICKER CHECK FOR LOOMS Filed Nov. 26 1948 INVENTOR CAR-L BERGSTROMATTORNEY Patented July 4, 1950 PICKER-CHECK FOR LOOMS Carl P. Bergstrom,Millbury, Mass, assignor .to

Crompton & Knowles Loom Works, Worcester, Mass, a corporation ofMassachusetts Application November 26, 1948, Serial No. 62,213

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in pickor checks for looms and itis the general object of the invention to provide a check which arrestsmotion of a shuttle and is thenlocked momentarily so that it isincapable of causing reverse motion of the shuttle in a direction out ofthe shuttle box.

Fly shuttle looms are customarily made with some form of check to arrestmomentum of the shuttle as it enters the shuttle box. Some of thesechecks'combine lateral friction exterted by a binder against the shuttlewith a means to exert end force on the shuttle, the latter means frequently taking the form of a flexible strap or the like which extendsacross the path of the picker to check the latter as the shuttleapproaches the end of its travel. In the past it has been customary tomount these straps on spring actuated drums which after checking theshuttle exert a force tending to move the shuttle out of the shuttlebox.

It is an important object of the present invention to lock the pickercheck in the position to which it is moved by the shuttle to prevent itfrom moving the shuttle from its properly boxed position. At some timein the cycle of the loom subsequent to picking the check is released,permitting it to move to correct position for the next checkingoperation.

In multi-shuttle looms the shuttle boxes usually shift between front andtop center positions, the shuttle entering its box as the lay movesforwardly and the box then shifting while the lay is in the forward partof its motion. Picking ordinarily occurs when the lay is on top centeror approximately half way between back and front center positions andmoving rearwardly. It is a further object of the invention to hold theaforesaid picker check locked throughout the time the shuttle boxes areshifting and then efi'ect unlocking subsequent to completion of boxshift. This result may be accomplished as set forth herein by causingunlocking of the check as the lay approaches its rearmost position.

With these and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter described and set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein a convenient embodiment of theinvention is set forth, Fig. '1 is a front elevation of part of a loomhaving the invention applied thereto,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan View looking in the direction of the arrow 2,Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a front elevation looking in the direction of arrow 3, Fig. 2,

Fig 4 is across section on line 4-4, Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the lower left hand part of Fig. 2 showingthe relation between the locking pawl and the stationary cam whichreleases the pawl as the lay approaches its rear position.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the loom frame I0 supports a bottomshaft ll having secured thereto a picking arm I'Z'for cooperation with apicking cam l3 on a picker shaft- M. The later is operatively connectedby power arm l5, sweep stick l6 and lug'strap I! to a picker stick I 8pivoted at its lower end as at H! to a rocker iron 20 on a rocker shaft2 I.

The lay 25 is provided with a gang GL of shifting shuttle boxes, fourshuttle boxes or cells designated from top to bottom at 26-29,respectively. These shuttle boxes are mounted on a box lifter rod 30which is raised by a chain 3| and is lowered by gravity and also by aspring 32. This chain is operated by a well-known mechanism not setforth herein and acts when required to shift the shuttle boxes startingwhen the lay is'on bottom center and continuing through front centeruntil the lay reaches top center. When the lay is at top center thepicker stick l8 operates to pick the shuttle which is aligned with theshuttle race 33. On the next pick of the loom the shuttle is picked fromth opposite side of the lay and enters the shuttle box in pickingposition, which, as shown in Fig. 1, is the top cell 26.

Each shuttle box is provided with a binder 34 which exerts lateralfrictional force on a shuttle entering the shuttle box. This frictionalforce is not always sufiicient to stop the shuttle complete ly, and itis customary to utilize some additional means for bringing the shuttlefinally to rest. I

The loom will ordinarily include in its construction some mechanism forcontrolling the sequence of shiftings of the gang GL, and also risingand falling of the harness frame not shown.

. This mechanism may include a chain 35, sup;

ported by a chain run 36 which is held in station-. ary position on theloom; The invention is-not limited in its use to such types of patternand shuttle box andharness actuating mechanism as suggested at theupper'left hand part of Fig. 1, and the run 36 is set. forth hereinmerely to provide a stationary part of the loom behind the lay andlocated adjacent to the outer or left end of the shuttle boxes asindicated in Fig. 1. I I

Shuttle S engagesand is propelled by'a picker i used with a singleshuttle box.

shuttle box guides 4| and 42 on the lay shownrespectively at the rightand left of Fig. 1. The

picker and the spindle, however, will remain at the same level and willnot shift with the shut tle boxes, and the picker will always. remainregistered with the active shuttle box.

The mechanism thus far'described iisof common construction and operatesas already described. WhileFig. 1 shows a gang of shuttle boxes theinvention is not necessarily limitedto use with multiple shuttles, butcan if desired be 7 The timing of picking will be substantially the samewhether azsingle. shuttlezboxzon a shifting. gang of shuttle boxes isemployed.

, Asalready suggestedthe'pickerhas in the -past been acted upon by someform of supplementary checkcaddition'al tothe-jshuttle binders tobringthe shuttle: to finaLrest in correct position. for shifting. ofthe gang;Gh. One type of these checks-includes; aqsti ap andacoilr spring. whichholds the strap taut across the path of the: picker asrthelatter'ismoved bythe' shuttle, but' such a check; acts. on; the. shuttleto. move -it: out of: the shuttlerhox. or in a right handdirection as-,viewed in.-i'ig.-.2;j It is-the general purpose of the presentinvention to provide a; controkwhich: will prevent. thechecka'frommovingtheshuttle out or thesshuttlelbox.

In carrying the invention into efiect a' support platefiflt is. securedas. at:5:l rto' the outer box: guide and has an upwardextension 52providediwith a=1horizontal slot 53. Extending through the. slot is astud 54: having afiange: 5'5: and. a bearing endafifiito therightiofthefiange, Fig.- 4.. Between theJfiange 55;.and theupward extension 5201the support platethere-is located" a flat sheet metal. plate or.- pawlcarrier 511". When thenut 5'8sisitightened it draws the fiangeifiagainst the pawl carrier-and extension 52 to holdzthese two partsclampedtightly-together in fixed position. lii ylooseningv thenut5ltthe-studzand' plate 57 1 can beiadjusted horizontally;

Rotat'ably mounted on the bearing part 55 of the studis a drum-or rotarymember G'J'around aiportion o'fwhichis wrapped a-fiexible strapor member61 the upper end of which isattached to the. drum bya screwfiziThis'xflexible'member may; be leather-or similarmaterial and has itsIowerend secured-:tas. at. 631' to-some part ofthe lay, suchzas' the layendtkwhichextends-to the leftf-from the lay'25, see'Fig. 1-. A coilspring 65 surrounds the hub 66 of the drum and-has the leftzendathereofas viewed in Fig. 4' held in fixed position relatively. to: the. studg.this 4 result beingaccomplished by bending the. end of the spring. andextending it into a recess 61% in the flange. The. other end 68 ofitherspring bears against a part BSeof the drum; The efiect of the spring isto tend toturn the drum in a counter-clockwise direction-asviewedin Fig.3', or in adirection to straighten the strap 6|. The latter ispositioned forengagementwith the head -39- of the pickeras shownforinstance in Figs. 2'and 3.

A part of the peripheryof the drum to is provided withratchet teeth- 10-which cooperate with a pawl 11- pivotedon-astudlZ fixed as by rivetingto the plate-5-T. This'pawl isacted uponby t a torsion spring 13 whichsurrounds an enlarged part 14 of the stud 12. The forward end It ofspring 13 enters a part of the plate 51 and is held in stationaryposition with respect .to the lay, while the rear end 11 of spring 13enters the hub 18 of the pawl. The effect of spring E3 is to turn theholding tooth 19 of the pawl toward the ratchet teeth iii; The pawl hasan upwardly extending stud 88 on which is rotatably mounted a roll 8!which not only rotates on the stud 8B, but also swings about the axis ofthe stud #2 as the pawl moves angularly.

The previously described pattern chain guide or run 35i'has securedthereto a cam member 85 held in horizontally adjusted position by bolt86 on the run 36. The part 85 is provided with a forwardly extending cam81 having a face 88 which is inclined rearwardly and outwardly withrespect to the shuttle box. This face 38 is placed for engagement withthe roll 8! as the lay approaches its back center position.

' In operation, a shuttle entering the shuttle box" alignediwith the laywill force picker head 39"against: the stra tl; deflecting the samerfromthepositionato b, Fig. 3; This effectsan; angu- 13131110171011 of. thedrum Bilina clock-wisedirection as viewed in Fig. 3 to a given angularpositionin which it is held by engagement of the ratchet teethalfiwiththe-pawl I9; The'latteris therefore able toprevent retrograde, orcounter? clockwise. movement of the; drum as viewed. in

Fig; 3; and the'strap will-not tend ftO. movethe shuttle inwardly, as inprevious checks.

The shuttle; is. boxed; while thelay is in; the forward part of itsmotionwiththe'roll 8-! spaced forwardly. from the-cam;8-'l; as shown inFig. 52' As the; lay: moves rearwardly from its forward position;the-shuttle; is.- pickedz-with the: roll. ill still spacedforwardlyfrom-surface Further continued backward movement of the;lay-causes roll 8| to engage face 88 to effect counter-clockwiserocking. of the. pawl from: the. full to the dottedlineposition-shownrinFig. 3. Thedrumis thus-.releasediand thespringifiiturns the drum back, to its. normal 1 position to straightenthe strap, as; at. min Fig. 3; This will effect move-- ment of.the'picker toward-.thepenter-of-the-loom should the picker be incontactwith thestrap. but this movement of the-picker occurs-aftertheshuttlehas left the shuttle-box. In any event the picker. uponthenext arrival. of the shuttle in. theshuttle box: willhave its outwardmove-. ment resistedby a force derived from spring. 65 and exertedthrough thestrap 6 l.

From the, foregoing it will. beseen that. the invention .sets. forth,simple means. for. checking the-finaLmotion of, the. shuttle in.suchmanner that 7 no, forces are exerted tending to move the boxed,shuttle toward thecenter of the loom. The check remains lockedby reasonof. thepawl and .ratchet. mechanism until afterthe shuttle is picked andis then. able to return to its normal, position by. engagementof, theroll 8! with the cam 88 as the layapproaches back center. Fur= thermore,the check is maintained. locked throughout the shifting period of thegang GL. Adjustment of the check in a horizontal direction isafiorded'by slot 53 in the support 55, and the plate Ell, which moveshorizontally-with the stud 58 during such adjustment, carries; the pawlwith y it so that the distance between the axes of the pawl and drumremains fixed for all horizontal adjustments of thecheck.

Having thus described theinvention'it will be seen that changes and Lmodifi'cationsof the-fore going specific disclosure may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. I

I What is claimed as new is: w

1. In picker checking mechanism for a loom having a picker moved by ashuttle when the latter enters a shuttle box on the lay, a flexiblestrap having one end thereof fixed with respect to the lay, rotary meanson the lay operatively connected to the other end of the strap,resilient means acting on the rotary means normally causing the latterto maintain the strap taut across the path of the picker, the latterwhen moved by the shuttle bending the strap and causing an-v gular.movement of the rotary means from the normal position thereof to a givenposition, pawl and ratchet means operatively interposed between the layand rotary member effective to hold the latter in said given angularposition, and means operating due to motion of the lay causing the pawland ratchet means to release the rotary means.

2. The picker checking mechanism for a loom having a, picker moved by ashuttle when the latter enters a shuttle box on the lay, a flexiblestrap having one end thereof fixed with respect to the lay, rotary meanson the lay operatively connected to the other end of the strap,resilient means acting on the rotary means normally causing the latterto maintain the strap taut across the path of the picker, the latterwhen moved by the shuttle bending the strap and causing angular movementof the rotary means from the normal position thereof to a, givenposition, ratchet teeth secured to and turning with the rotary means, apawl pivotally mounted with respect to the lay effective by engagementwith the ratchet teeth to hold the rotary means in said given position,and means acting due to movement of the lay to move the pawl out ofengagement with said ratchet wheel.

3. In picker checking mechanism for a loom having a picker moved by ashuttle when the latter enters a shuttle box on the lay, a checkingmember moved from the normal position thereof to an abnormal positionthereof by the picker when the latter is moved by the shuttle, resilientmeans tending to move the checking member from the abnormal to thenormal position thereof, holding means acting upon movement of thechecking member to abnormal position to hold the member in abnormalposition against the action of said resilient means, and means movingthe holding means out of holding relation relatively to the checkingmember after the shuttle has been picked from the shuttle box.

4. In picker checking mechanism for a loom having a shuttle which entersa, shuttle box on the lay and moves a picker at a, given point in thecycle of the loom and is picked from the shuttle box at a later point inthe loom cycle, a checking member tending to move the picker against theshuttle in a direction to move the shuttle out of the shuttle box, theshuttle when entering the shuttle box causing the picker to move thechecking member oppositely to said direction to an abnormal position atsaid given point in the loom cycle, holding means acting between saidgiven and later points in the loom cycle controlling the checking memberand preventing the same from moving the picker, and releasing meansacting subsequent to said later point in the loom cycle causing theholding means to relinquish control of the holding means.

5. In picker checking mechanism for a loom having a shuttle which entersa shuttle box on thelay and moves a picker at a given point in the cycleof the loom and is picked from the shuttle box at-a later point in theloom cycle, a flexible strap one end of which is fixed with respect tothe lay, a rotary member mounted on the lay for angular movementrelatively thereto, the other end of the strap being connected to saidrotary member, resilient means operatively connected to said rotarymember tendin to keep the strap taut and tending to move the picker inthe direction in which the shuttle moves when picked out of the box, thepicker when moved by the shuttle at said given point bending the strapand causing angular movement of the rotary member to a given angularposition thereof, ratchet teeth fixed relatively to the rotary member, apawl pivotally mounted relatively to the lay engaging the ratchet teethbetween said given and later points in the loom cycle to hold the rotarymember in said given angular position thereof, and means effectivesubsequent to said later point in the loom cycle to move said pawl outof engagement with said ratchet teeth.

6. In picker checking mechanism for a loom having a lay provided with apicker which is moved outwardly when a shuttle enters a shuttle box onthe lay, a flexible member extending across the path of said picker andhaving one end thereof secured to the lay, a drum rotat ably mounted onthe lay havin the other end of said flexible member attached thereto, aspring normally tending to turn said drum in a direction to keep saidflexible member taut, ratchet teeth moving with said drum, a pawlpivotally mounted with respect to the lay eifective to engage saidratchet teeth and hold the drum against movement by said spring aftersaid picker by engagement with said flexible mem-- ber has causedangular movement of said drum, and means including a part stationary onthe loom effective to move said pawl away from said ratchet teeth as thelay approaches the back center position thereof.

7. In picker checking mechanism for a loom having a picker moved by ashuttle when the latter enters a shuttle box on the lay, a flexiblemember having one end thereof fixed with respect to the lay andextending across the path of the picker, a drum rotatable on the layoperatively connected to the other end of the flexible member, resilientmeans actin on the drum normally causing the latter to maintain theflexible member taut, the picker when moved by the shuttle bendin thestrap and causing said drum to turn from the normal position there of toa given position, ratchet teeth integral with said drum, a pawlpivotally mounted with respect to the lay effective by engagement withsaid ratchet teeth to hold said drum in said given angular position, acam fixed with respect to the loom, and means cooperating with the camand dependent upon rearward movement of the lay to move said pawl out ofengagement with said ratchet teeth.

8. In picker checking mechanism for a m having a picker moved along apath by a shuttle when the latter enters a shuttle box on the lay, a,flexible strap having one end thereof fixed with respect to the lay, adrum rotatably mounted on the lay connected to the other end of thestrap, resilient means acting on the drum normally causing the latter tomaintain the strap taut across the path along which the picker isfective by engagement with the ratchet teeth to hold the drum in saidgiven angular position; aroll rotatable on the pawl, and a stationarycam for engagement with the roll, said rolland cam cooperating due tobackward movement of the lay and. at atime subsequent to picking of theshuttle from the shuttle box to movesaid pawl out of holding engagementwith respect tosaid ratchet teeth.

9; In picker checking mechanism for a loom having, a picker moved by ashuttlewhen the latter enters a. shuttle box on the lay, a flexiblestrap-having oneend thereof fixed withirespect to the lay, a stud fixedto the lay in adjusted position relatively thereto in the direction oftravel of the shuttle-in the: shuttlebox, a; plate operatively relatedtothe stud and moving therewith W-henthe stud-is ad-J'usted adrumrotatable on said stud and having theother. end

of' the strap secured thereto;-.fresilient: means tendingnormally tomove the" drum inaidirec'e tion to maintain said strap taut acrosstheipath of the picker, the latter: when moved-by" the shuttle bending.the strap and causing; angular movement of the drum to a given position;a pawlpivotallymounted on said plate; ratchet teeth moving with the drumengaged by" the pawl' to maintain' the drum in s'aidgiven' angularposition, and means dependent upon rear; ward movement of the lay andoperating subfsequent to pickihg ofthe shuttle from itheis'h uttl'e b'oxeffe'ctiv'e to move said pawl out off engagementwith said :rathet:teeth'.-

CARL P. BERGSTROM REFERENCES CITED The following references areofrecordln the fileof this patent? STATES PATENTS Number Name Date"5305438 Mathews iDec'. 4; 1894 5443467 K-ilborn et a1. Aug. 13*, 1895

